It all started out as an idea of Stephen Shank who was a previous CEO of Tonka Corporation. He made it its personal goal to build a university that gives out quality eduction without sacrificing the comfort of accessibility. Hence, he thought of an institution which offers online degrees. A well-recognized person in the field of higher education, Dr. Harold Abel helped Shank in establishing Capella University, then known as The Graduate School of America. After the Minnesota Higher Education Services granted its approval in 1993, the Capella University opened its doors to interested applicants. Initially, the degrees available in the university were master's and doctoral degrees in eduction, management, and human services. As years passed, the Capella University continued to further its programs and faculty to help individuals realize their maximum potential in terms of higher education. Now, the university boasts above 950 online courses. In addition, it also has a total of 19 degree programs, undergraduate and graduate, in 104 areas of specialization. The online MBA program offered in the Capella University gives the students the much-needed skills to be successful in the world of business. The online MBA curriculum is highly recommended by some of the prominent corporations in the State namely Johnson & Johnson and Xerox. The Capella University garnered its share of accreditations. In 2001, it appeared in the U.S. News & World Report list of Best Online Graduate Business Programs. For five years straight, it was included in America's 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies. In effect, it got in the Inc. 500 Hall of Fame in 2003. Now, the Capella University's enrollment crossed over 22,000 students situated in all the 50 states of United States and in 45 other countries as well.